make no bones about something/about doing something

make no bones about (something)

To be transparent about something, without any equivocation. He makes no bones about having come from a wealthy family. When training a new employee, I make no bones about my expectations, so that they're not surprised by anything down the road.See also: bone, make, no

make no bones about

Act or speak frankly about something, without hesitation or evasion. For example, Tom made no bones about wanting to be promoted, or Make no bones about it-she's very talented. Versions of this expression date back to the mid-1400s and the precise allusion is no longer known. Some believe it meant a boneless stew or soup that one could eat without hesitation; others relate it to dice, originally made from bones, that were thrown without hesitation or fuss. See also: bone, make, no

make no bones about something

COMMON If you make no bones about something, you do not hesitate to express your thoughts or feelings about it. Dave made no bones about resenting her presence in the house. There will be changes in this Welsh team until we get it right. I make no bones about that. Note: This expression may refer to gambling. `Bones' is an old word for dice, so a gambler who `makes no bones' throws the dice after just one shake. See also: bone, make, no, something

make no bones about something

have no hesitation in stating or dealing with something, however unpleasant, awkward, or distasteful it is. This expression, which dates back to the 16th century, may originally have referred to eating a bowl of soup in which no bones were found and which was therefore easily eaten.See also: bone, make, no, something

make no ˈbones about something/about doing something

not hesitate to do something; be honest and open about something: She made no bones about telling him she wanted a pay rise.He makes no bones about the fact that he’s been in prison.See also: bone, make, no, something

make no bones about

To be forthright and candid about; acknowledge freely: They make no bones about their dislike for each other.See also: bone, make, no

make no bones about

To speak frankly and directly. A form of this expression was used as early as the 15th century and meant “without difficulty.” The reference is to the bones in stews or soup. Soup without bones would offer no difficulty, and accordingly, one would have no hesitation in swallowing soup with no bones.See also: bone, make, no